POWDERED METAL VARIATOR COMPONENTS
The use of powder metal components in a variator is disclosed. Traction fluid of various sorts may be used in the variators, not just high performance synthetics or application specific lubricants.
1 . A variator component comprising a powder metal rolling surface adapted to wear by micropitting.
2 . A variator component of claim 1 that wears at a rate greater than 0.0035 mm per 500 hours of use.
3 . A variator component of claim 1 having a wear coefficient greater than 10 −9 mmcubed (Nm) −1 .
4 . A variator component of claim 1 having a wear coefficient greater than 10 −8 mmcubed (Nm) −1 .
5 . A variator component of claim 1 where the powdered metal is a low alloy steel.
6 . A variator component of claim 1 where the component is a disc.
7 . A variator component of claim 1 where the component is a roller.
8 . A variator component of claim 1 where the component is a sphere.
9 . A variator component comprising powder metal having a porous morphology.
10 . A variator component of claim 9 comprising pores that comprise at least 2.5 percent by volume of the powdered metal material.
11 . A variator component of claim 9 where the powdered metal is a low alloy steel.
12 . A variator component of claim 9 where the component is a race.
13 . A variator component of claim 9 where the component is a roller.
14 . A variator component of claim 9 where the component is a sphere.
15 . A variator component comprising powder metal having a density of 7.6 g/cc or less.
16 . A variator component of claim 15 having a density of 7.5 g/cc or less
17 . A variator component of claim 15 in the range 7.1 g/cc to 7.6 g/cc.